Authorities often encourage travelers to report suspicious behaviors to officials working in the area, even if they are unsure whether the suspicious behavior is threatening. But traveling is not the only time such behavior should be reported, according to numerous police agencies across the nation. When motorists witness reckless or negligent conduct by another driver, they are encouraged to report such actions to a relevant police agency so steps can be taken to stop the driver and avoid a collision, whenever possible.
Often, reckless driving is associated with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a threatening behavior all too common on the streets and expressways of Chicago. Drunk driving accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries in the state of Illinois every year and they are believed to cause millions of dollars’ worth of damages.
Many victims do not know what to do or where to turn when a Chicago drunk driving accident occurs and leaves them injured, but fortunately, the law is on their side. When hurt in Illinois, victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages and payment for expenses like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. As each crash is unique, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer if you have been involved in a collision or if your loved one was injured or killed in a crash.
Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, police in the Chicago area received multiple reports of a driver traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-55 near Damen Avenue. Not long after the reports were made, the suspected wrong-way driver collided head-on with a vehicle traveling southbound, causing a serious crash that left two women injured. At this time, police believe that the wrong way driver may have been under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, leading to the arrest of the 22-year-old female driver with charges pending.
The driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash was a 29-year-old woman. Damage to her vehicle required authorities to cut away a portion of the car before she could be removed and transported to an area hospital for injuries considered to be serious but not life threatening. Her current condition is unknown.
The suspected at-fault driver was also hurt in the accident and needed medical assistance though her injuries were believed to be minor.
Drunk driving accidents often hurt innocent victims who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. These people may be forced to incur serious medical expenses and other financial hardships even though they were not responsible for the crash.
If you have been hurt by the actions of another, the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. want you to know that you may have a valid claim for your losses. We offer a free case consultation to those who contact us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we provide it 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year so that you can get the answers you deserve, whenever you need them.
If you have been injured or if your loved one has been hurt or killed, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us fight for the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
2 Car Crash in Lincolnwood Leaves 1 Person Dead, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published November 7, 2014.
Resource:
2 women seriously injured after wrong-way crash on I-55, by Denease Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, published November 9, 2014.